Known gang member, Lance Nanamkin was facing life in prison when police say he shot at them. KIMA has learned, officers were on the lookout for him after getting word Nanamkin told friends he would never be taken alive and he almost accomplished that Wednesday night.

KIMA took a closer look at who Lance Nanamkin is, and the chances others in his situation might take on police and the community.

Wednesday night was not Lance Nanamkin's first run in with the law. But, it will likely be his last. The now 31 year old gangbanger has a long rap sheet which includes a burglary back in 2000 where he stole guns and a gang shooting in 2001 that killed two people. He got off on multiple felony assault charges and served eight years. Once freed, he was back to his old ways and charged with eluding police in Wapato earlier this year.

Nanamkin knew one more felony conviction and the three strikes law would put him away for life. There is little doubt his decision to open fire on police Wednesday night was based in part on that reality.

Ken Ramm was the prosecutor in Nanamkin's 2001 homicide trial. His violent actions that night were no surprise to Ramm.

"What was going through his mind would be hard to say, but there are certain things you could say he knew," said Ramm.

It's the escalating violence among these released felons that should be a concern to everyone.

What happened Wednesday night was a tragedy, but it could have been worse. One of the many neighbors could have been hit or even killed in the crossfire and that's exactly what Bryan Packard was afraid of.

"I ran from the top of that sidewalk to the apartment and slammed the door shut,” he said

It is amazing with almost 70 shots fired between Nanamkin and police, no neighbors were hit. We wanted to know how many more of these "won't be taken alive" felons are out there and what's the likelihood scenes like this will continue.

"Those types of people are a rarity they aren't out there in mass," said Ramm.

The prosecutor says there are dozens of two strike offenders in our area, but insists most have left the life of crime. Typically the Yakima County Courts only see about one or two, third strike cases a year.

The hope is that when these ticking time bombs do explode, police are there to limit the collateral damage.

Nanamkin remains in critical condition at a local hospital. He was shot in the head twice. If he survives, chances are he'll never be outside the walls of a prison again.